Robbery Charges in Maine

Charged with Robbery in Maine?

Serving the Regions of Portland, Bangor, Saco, Biddeford, and Augusta

If so, you are in the right place. We are a criminal defense law firm dedicated to standing up for people's rights by building strong defenses and providing aggressive legal representation. We begin by examining your case and looking for possible defenses. When you are charged with robbery or any other type of serious crime in Maine, it is important to understand the penalties that you can be sentenced to if you are convicted. Even a Class B robbery charges can result in a decade of jail time.

Robbery is a crime of violence and a theft crime in which the offender unlawfully takes the property of another from their person or immediate vicinity through the use of physical force or the threat of force. Unlike other types of theft, charges for this crime are not based on the value of the property stolen; in fact, the offender does not even have to steal from the victim to be charged and subsequently convicted of robbery.

Robbery Charges in Maine

Robbery is sometimes a term used to describe any type of theft. But robbery has a specific definition in the legal sense. Robbery crimes typically involve violence or the threat of violence. Robbery charges are very serious and a conviction can include fines and jail time. Robbery is committed if one person attempts or succeeds in stealing the property of another person through fear or force, and if at the time of the crime the offender either:

Recklessly inflicted physical injury on the victim (Class B offense )

Threatened to use force against any of the victims present for the purpose of (Class B offense)

Preventing or overcoming resistance of the theft or attempts of the victims to take back their property from the offender, or

Compelling the victim to give up the property or do something that made it easier for the property to be taken

Used physical force on the victim with either of the intents specified above (Class A offense)

Intentionally inflicts or attempts to inflict bodily injury upon the victim (Class A offense)

Armed with a dangerous weapon during any of the types of robbery as listed above, or aware that an accomplice is armed during the crime (Class A offense)

Robbery charges are no longer elevated by adding the terms 'aggravated' or 'armed'. Instead, penalties for these charges are increased in classification. As listed above, the use of a weapon can lead to a Class A felony robbery charge.

Maine Robbery Penalties

Because they always involve violence, the penalties for robbery are always severe. Even if you have a clean criminal history and you only stole a few hundred dollars, if you obtained it through a threat or use of a weapon, you will face steep fines and 10 to 30 years in jail. Maine no longer uses misdemeanor and felony to describe the levels of crimes. Generally, Class B and A crimes are equal to felonies, though. All robberies are either treated as Class B or Class A offenses. The penalties for each are as follows:

Class A: Most severe type of offense, punishable by:

Fine of as much as $50,000

Incarceration for up to 30 years

Class B: Second most serious types of crimes in the state, punishable by:

Fine of as much as $20,000

Incarceration for up to 10 years

What Makes a Theft a Robbery?

A robbery crime is a form of theft crime where the offender uses violence of the threat of violence to get what they want. Most people think of the classic bank robbing scenario where 2 men in ski masks and toting guns hold up a bank. This is a valid example of robbery, but robberies can also occur in a much more low key fashion. For example, you are walking down the street and a man comes up to you with their hand in their pocket. They ask for your wallet and say they have a gun and will shoot you if you do not comply. This is also an example of robbery even if the offender really didn't have a weapon, because he is threatening you.

For a crime to be considered a robbery, there are usually five elements that must be present:

The offender takes or intends on taking an item that does not belong to them

The item is the personal property of another person or entity

The owner of the item or their agent is present

The item is taken against their will

Violence or the threat of violence is used to get the owner to comply

In robbery charges, it does not matter if actual harm is done or even if a threat was given. If a man holding a knife demands your car keys, he is committing robbery because the act of presenting the knife would be perceived by a reasonable person to be a threat.

Recommendations

I was lucky to have contacted Mr. Bly in a matter that unfairly could have changed my life. He was very open, concerned, and committed to helping me. He answered every call promptly, never lost interest in my case, and went out of his way to protect my interests. For a very reasonable fee he made...Read On

“I was very satisfied with the representation.”
Protection from Abuse client
“He explained in detail, was sensitive to my needs, and helpful with the parties I was dealing with.”
Family Law - Divorce client
“. . . very personable.”
Protection from Abuse client
“. . . explain...Read On

My OUI and criminal speeding charges brought a great deal of stress and hardship to not only myself but my entire family. Having both of the charges against me dismissed was an absolute godsend. Once dropped, it felt as though a dark cloud that had been looming over my head had been lifted. I am ...Read On

Contact Our Firm

Thank you for contacting us. We will get back to you shortly.

Please complete all required fields below.

Name *

Phone *

Message *

Email

Client Review

“Bill shared each and every Pro/Con of the situation that I was facing. The entire court process was quite lengthy and stressful to my wife and I both, but at it’s conclusion Bill was able to have my OUIDISMISSSED and pled to a far more favorable charge…I would recommend Mr. Bly to anyone who is up against a seemingly insurmountable mountain to climb. Thank you Mr. Bly for securing my life and future.”- Vince

What distinguishes our Firm from the numerous law firms throughout the state is that we genuinely care about the well-being of our clients. The staff and attorneys of WTB LAW ensure that every client receives hands-on and personalized attention throughout the life of their case.